Commanders vs. Bears — Week 6
- Date: Monday, October 13
- Time: 8.15 p.m. ET
- Venue: Northwest Stadium
- Channel: ESPN
If the Washington Commanders are 2-3 by this point, which cannot be completely dismissed, then their Monday Night Football game against the Chicago Bears becomes a must-win. And the NFC North club will have revenge on their mind after last season's Hail Mary miracle.
It was a moment no Washington fan will ever forget. For the Bears, it sent them on a catastrophic run that saw coaches fired, players released, and a new era dawn under new head man Ben Johnson.
Johnson has given quarterback Caleb Williams a rude awakening since joining the franchise, with mixed results. It's a work in progress right now. The Bears flashed moments of excellence versus the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions, even if it didn't result in any wins to show for their efforts.
The Commanders will be eager to show Chicago that their last-gasp triumph last year was no fluke. There will be enormous pressure to produce the goods with the entire NFL world watching on. Anything less could see things completely unravel for a team that harbored lofty ambitions before the campaign.
- Prediction: Win (3-3)
Washington's back will be against the wall in this scenario. Looking at the way Quinn and his players responded in the face of adversity last season, they can do the same again here.
Commanders at Cowboys — Week 7
- Date: Sunday, October 19
- Time: 4.25 p.m. ET
- Venue: AT&T Stadium
- Channel: FOX
The Commanders got tormented by Micah Parsons on Thursday Night Football in Week 2. But the silver lining is they won't have to face the All-Pro edge rusher twice a season in the NFC East anymore.
Jerry Jones traded Parsons after his contract standoff with the Dallas Cowboys got extremely personal. The owner/general manager said that paying five good players is better than giving money to one elite-level performer. It's an eyebrow-raising theory, and it's not reaping immediate rewards based on their performances over the opening fortnight.
Washington gets the chance to pile more misery on the Cowboys at AT&T Stadium in Week 7. Dan Quinn got a lot of joy versus his old club at the same venue last season, but it's also worth remembering that quarterback Dak Prescott missed the game through injury.
Keeping the Cowboys' offense quiet is key. They're more reliant on this unit than ever after trading Parsons. If their threats can be nullified, the Commanders have more than enough to come away victorious.
- Prediction: Win (4-3)
Being 4-3 at this stage of the season might not be what the Commanders expected after their fairytale run to the NFC Championship game in 2024. But it keeps them in the fight heading into the business end of proceedings.